Goodchild, John Henry 1856-1940

GOODCHILD, SPENCER, KNIGHT, OVERHOLT, WILKINSON

Posted By: Janet Schuldt, Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/8/2013 at 16:05:52

Laurens Sun, Laurens, Pocahontas, Iowa, USA Thursday, March 14, 1940

HENRY GOODCHILD

A shadow of sorrow was cast over the Havelock community on Tuesday when the word was passed around that Henry Goodchild had passed away at his home at 1:45. Although he had been sick no one thought the end was near. He had lived in this community for over half a century and gained the love and respect of all who knew him.

Funeral services were held from the home at 1:30 on Friday and at two o'clock at the Methodist church. Rev. J. E. Clifton of Larrabee, a son of the late Rev. C. W. Clifton, a pioneer friend, assisted by Rev. J. D. Wolcotl, officiated to a large concourse of sorrowing friends and relatives. A quartet composed of Mrs. Floyd Oertley, Mrs. Frank Kirby and Carl and Craig Barth with Mrs. C. S Barth at the piano rendered "In the Sweet Bye and Bye," "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Rock of Ages," Flowers were profuse and beautiful, mute evidence of the esteem in which he was held and were cared for by Mrs. W. Fowler, Mrs. W. Bachman and Mrs. W. Boysen. Honorary pall bearers were: Frank McVey, Rolfe G. Speer, J. B. Sheldon, S. Cole, W Fowler and W. Pirie; active pall bearers: O. Van Horsen, Adolph Johnson Walter Knight, Axel Carlsen, Harry Dickey, Rolfe, J. F. Carlsen, Pocahontas. The I. O. O. F. order had charge of the services at the cemetery. Interment in Washington cemetery with Tutt and Emarine, morticians of Laurens in charge.

John Henry Goodchild, son of George and Ursula Wilkinson Goodchild was born on May 19, 1856 at Lakeland, Long Island, England, and departed this life at his home in Havelock at 1:45 March 5th at the age of suffered a severe illness in 1939 and 83 years, 9 months and 15 days. His death was caused by a weak heart and a weakening of life's forces. In the year 1857 he came with his parents to Iowa. A brother George about 1 1/2 years old was drowned in the Mississippi river while the family were resting a few days at Clinton. Here the oldest brother remained with the three youngest children and mother. Mr. Goodchild with his father rode to Boone, then the terminal point of the railroad. Armed with a gun and knife against a possible attack from Indians, they walked north. A settler at whose home they spent the night told them of a piece of land the owner who filed on had abandoned. And there they established their home and harvested one crop. After which they moved to a farm near Fort Dodge where the senior Mr. Goodchild took up his trade as shoemaker. In 1869 the family moved to the homestead in Powhatan township. Or a preliminary trip to prepare for the removal, Edward the older brother became ill and in a few hours died at the old court house then in Des Moines township. This left Mr. Goodchild the mainstay of the family at the age of 14, since his father never succeeded in becoming a pioneer efficient farmer. The shoemaker could not learn to manage a yoke of oxen.

After reaching manhood he worked at various trades in and around Aurelia and Fort Dodge. His father and grandfather being shoemakers, he inherited a great love for tools and great manual skill. He often spoke of himself as "Jack of all Trades.'' In the main he followed carpentering, but often combined it with farming. He had a sturdy physique, at 75 he often said he could out work men of 50. When he was five years old, he was confirmed in the Episcopal church of England. Afterwards he united with the Methodist church at Havelock. For many years he was an active member of the Havelock I. O. O. F. lodge in which he held many responsible offices, Past grand master, local lodge District deputy grand master, and representative of the grand lodge in the year of 1930-31. On Jan. 10, 1883, he was united in marriage to Annetta Spencer and to this union there were born 5 daughters and one son. Those who survive him are: Mary, Mrs. R. E. Green, Rolfe; Anne, teacher in the school at Hinsdale, 111.; Kathryn, employed in the Moose Home for Orphans and Widows of the Moose lodge at Mooseheart, Indiana, Sadie who kept his home and Ned, also at home. A daughter, died in infancy, also another daughter, Jessie Knight, died in 1915, He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Owen Overholt of Indianola, 9 grandchildren and four great grandchildren and a host of friends by whom he will be sadly missed. Mrs. Goodchild preceded him in death in September 1916.

Those from a distance at the funeral were: Mrs. Owen Overholt , Indianola; Mr. and Mrs. George Habben and daughter, Balaton, Minn.; Don Green, Eldora, Iowa, Ira Overholt, Klemme, Mrs. Inez Overholt Carr, Hardy, Mr. and Mrs. Jay Stowell, Garner, Mr. and Mrs. Will Hansen, Cylinder, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Hartsock, Mallard, John Garner, Fonda, Fred Goodchild and wife, Mallard, Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Hopkins and Will Hopkins, Laurens, Mr. and Mrs. Frank O'Brien and John Carlson, Pocahontas, Dr. F. E.. Heathman, Pocahontas and Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Chase, Laurens.